Capture the AI revolution without picking individual stocks. Pure-play, semiconductor, and broad tech ETFs compared.
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| AI ETFs | AI Stocks | |
|---|---|---|
| Risk | Diversified across 30-100+ companies | Concentrated in individual names |
| Cost | Expense ratio (0.10-0.75%) | No ongoing fee |
| Effort | Buy once, rebalanced for you | Research + monitor each stock |
| Best for | "Set and forget" AI exposure | Conviction picks, active investors |
AI ETFs
AI Stocks
The picks and shovels of AI. NVIDIA, AMD, TSMC, and Broadcom make the GPUs that power every AI workload. These companies profit regardless of which AI application wins.
SMH
Companies building products where AI is the core business: robotics, automation, enterprise AI software. More volatile but more targeted. When AI sentiment surges, these move the most.
BOTZ, AIQ, ROBT, IRBO
Not pure AI ETFs, but their top holdings (NVIDIA, Microsoft, Apple) are the biggest AI beneficiaries. Lower cost, more diversified. AI is a tailwind rather than the sole thesis.
VGT, QTEC, ARKQ
Focused exclusively on companies where artificial intelligence is the core business.
Global X - Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF
Pure-play on robotics and AI. Holdings build actual AI systems, not just use them.
0.68%
-0.8%
66
Global X - Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF
Broad AI ecosystem. Uses an AI-driven stock selection process itself.
0.68%
+30.9%
91
First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF
Nasdaq AI index with mid-cap and small-cap AI pure-plays.
0.65%
+3.9%
118
iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Multisector ETF
Equal-weighted global AI exposure, not US-centric like most AI ETFs.
0.47%
—
92
The chips that power every AI workload, the clearest AI demand signal.
Diversified tech with heavy AI tailwinds. Lower cost, lower concentration risk.
Cathie Wood's conviction-weighted AI and autonomy picks. Actively managed.
0.75%
+16.5%
Ultra-low 0.10% TER. Top holdings (NVIDIA, Microsoft, Apple) are the biggest AI beneficiaries.
0.09%
+32.9%
Equal-weighted Nasdaq tech that avoids mega-cap concentration risk.
0.55%
+37.4%
Five ETFs spanning all three layers of the AI value chain.
Regulated platforms available in your country. Data from our broker comparison.
A UAE-born wealth app combining automated investing, self-directed US stock trading and a high-yield cash account — ADGM FSRA-regulated, built for first-time and passive investors.
A regulated multi-asset broker offering commission-free stocks and ETFs up to a monthly threshold, plus CFDs, via the award-winning xStation app — DFSA-regulated in the DIFC.
A Danish investment bank offering premium multi-asset access to global markets, served to UAE investors cross-border from its regulated European entity.
A global multi-asset platform known for social and copy trading, giving UAE investors access to real stocks, ETFs and crypto — regulated locally by the ADGM FSRA.
AI revenue exposure
Holdings must derive significant revenue from AI research, products, or infrastructure, not just companies that mention AI in press releases.
Value chain coverage
We span all three layers: semiconductors (SMH), pure-play AI applications (BOTZ, AIQ, ROBT, IRBO), and broad tech with AI tailwinds (VGT, QTEC, ARKQ).
Liquidity and size
Sufficient AUM and daily volume for Gulf investors to enter and exit positions without excessive spreads.
Cost range
Options across the cost spectrum, from VGT at 0.10% to niche thematic ETFs at 0.68%, so you can choose your cost/specificity tradeoff.
Gulf accessibility
Prioritized US-listed ETFs accessible to Gulf investors through international brokers that offer US-listed securities.
The companies building, powering, and profiting from artificial intelligence. From chipmakers to cloud platforms.
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